General Session: Honors and Actions
The Car Care World Expo General Session, Honors and Actions, held Thursday morning presented the industry's top honors to three individuals who have made a difference.
Environmental Leadership Award
The Environmental Leadership Award was created last year to recognize the efforts of a member who has made environmental stewardship a significant part of his or her company’s mission. Through the development of leading water reclamation and treatment technologies and a commitment to spreading the word about the importance of conservation, this member has championed the ethic of environmentally friendly practices. The effects of these efforts are far-reaching, from developing a new customer base of eco-conscious car owners, to reminding the community every day that preserving the environment is not only important, but should be a part of everyone’s business.
Winner of the Environmental Leadership Award: Gary Hirsh, PurClean
Picture L-R: Jeff Gheysens, Gary Hirsh, Eric Wulf
The 2010 Environmental Leadership Award goes to Gary Hirsh of PurClean. Gary joined PurClean in 1995 as the VP of Marketing. He was intrigued by how PurClean effectively addressed water hardness eliminating the need for a water softener while eliminating spots. After purchasing the company in 2001, Gary introduced the PurWater Recovery system, reducing the need for fresh water, minimizing sewer discharge, and saving operators up to 85% of water costs. In addition to these technical contributions to car washing, Gary played an instrumental role in establishing the International Carwash Association’s WaterSavers program during his time as a member of the Association’s board of director. WaterSavers has since become the Association’s most successful member program and the industry’s largest environmental recognition program.
Brian Campbell Innovation Award
This is the second year in which we have presented our award for innovation in honor of Brian Campbell, a longtime friend of the car wash industry. Despite being born with a rare genetic condition known as Williams Syndrome, Brian’s enduring fascination with car washing has been an inspiration to all of us. Since the age of ten, Brian has had a consistent presence at car wash conventions. His positive energy is inspirational, and he truly embodies the spirit and enthusiasm that drives the quality and innovation that make our industry great.
Winner of the Brian Campbell Innovation Award: Jan Van Kessel, Kesseltronics Systems
Picture L-R: Jeff Gheysens, Jan Van Kessel, Eric Wulf
The 2010 winner of the Brian Campbell Innovation award is Jan Van Kessel of Kesseltronics Systems. Jan’s car wash career started in the late 70’s by giving washes by hand at his uncle’s self-serve coin operated bays in Holland. Jan then went on to study electronics in college. After fixing his uncle’s faulty vacuum timers, he started getting requests from the very same vacuum company to fix their products throughout the country. From that point forward, he knew car wash electronics was in his blood. He moved to Canada and started his own company that made code entry systems. Ten years ago, he attracted the attention of Dover Corporation, a worldwide industrial products developer. The size and breadth of Dover opened the door into the US market and provided him with a network of high-tech resources. His remote monitoring systems and innovative controllers are setting the standard for multi-site and sophisticated operators. Jan is also constantly exploring the capabilities of Dover’s subsidiaries to see what can be done to improve the car wash industry. With the never-ending advancement of technology, Jan sees no end to the new possibilities for Kesseltronics’ products and for the businesses he serves.
Car Wash Hall of Fame
Since 1962, the International Carwash Association has honored one individual in the industry with its highest recognition: induction into the Car Wash Hall of Fame. Past winners have included leaders like James Belanger, Joe Dahm, Dan Hanna, Herman Deal and Ron Peterson. By providing excellent service, breakthrough technologies, or innovative business models, each winner has left a significant mark on the industry.
"This year we are proud to add someone to the hall of fame that meets these high standards in every way. I am very pleased to share that the 2010 Car Wash Hall of Fame inductee is Mike Mountz of Cloister Car Wash," said Eric Wulf, Executive Director, International Carwash Association.
Car Wash Hall of Fame Inductee: Mike Mountz, Cloister Car Wash
Picture L-R: Jeff Gheysens, Mike Mountz, Eric Wulf
General Session: Honors and Actions Continued
Honors and Actions also presented a panelist of industry thought-leaders who discussed trends observed and results accomplished from the International Carwash Association's two Leadership Summit events help over the past year. Panelists included:
Mark Curtis, Splash Car Wash
Mark has been in the carwash business for 29 years and currently operates 20 tunnels, four self-serve bays, four oil changes and 18 detail shops at 18 locations in Connecticut and New York under the Spash Car Wash name.
Brian Gleason, PECO
Brian is the Vice President of Sales & Marketing PECO Car Wash Systems. Brian previously worked for Belanger Incorporated and he now focuses on supporting and developing PECO’s distributor network.
Kelly Maria, Car Wash Technologies
With twelve years of experience in the car wash industry, Kelly currently holds the position of Sales and Marketing Manager for Car Wash Technology, a car wash distributorship in California. Previously, Kelly spent six years in the C-Store/Petroleum/In-Bay segment of the business as a Car Wash Category Manager for a major oil company overseeing operations and marketing for 350 car wash sites.
Kevin Collette, Istobal USA
Founder and President of Istobal USA, the North American distributor of Istobal, Kevin has over ten years experience in the car and truck washing industries. He was a co-founder of RGF Environmental Systems and was a pioneer in the wash water recycling & treatment industry.
Jim Belanger, Wash Zone Car Wash
Jim has spent the last 20 years working in virtually every segment of the car wash industry. Currently he operates two express-exterior tunnel car washes and is president of Car Wash Management Integrators, a solutions integrator which provides client consulting and integrated product solutions.
Picture L-R: Kevin Collette, Brian Gleason, Jim Belanger, Kelly Maria, Mark Curtis